Open Access
Research (Published online: 11-09-2020)
15. Individual and combined anti-trypanosomal effects of arteether and diminazene aceturate in the treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats
Tobias Nnia Egbe-Nwiyi, Samson Eneojo Abalaka, Nuhu Abdulazeez Sani, Oremeyi Zainab Tenuche and Idoko Sunday Idoko
Veterinary World, 13(9): 1858-1862

Tobias Nnia Egbe-Nwiyi: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Samson Eneojo Abalaka: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Nuhu Abdulazeez Sani: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Oremeyi Zainab Tenuche: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Idoko Sunday Idoko: Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.1858-1862

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Article history: Received: 17-04-2020, Accepted: 20-07-2020, Published online: 11-09-2020

Corresponding author: Samson Eneojo Abalaka

E-mail: samson.abalaka@uniabuja.edu.ng

Citation: Egbe-Nwiyi TN, Abalaka SE, Sani NA, Tenuche OZ, Idoko IS (2020) Individual and combined anti-trypanosomal effects of arteether and diminazene aceturate in the treatment of experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in rats, Veterinary World, 13(9): 1858-1862.
Abstract

Aim: Trypanosomosis is a vital protozoan disease of man and animals with devastating consequences in the tropical parts of the world, necessitating the investigation of the effects of diminazene aceturate (DA) and arteether (AR) on Trypanosoma brucei brucei experimental infection in rats.

Materials and Methods: We used a total of 98 rats, which were divided into 14 groups (A-N) of seven rats each over 36 days after acclimatizing them. We administered 1×106 trypanosomes to the infected groups (B-N) with Group A as the unexposed control rats. Groups C-F became the infected and treated rats with 3.5 mg/kg, 7.0 mg/kg, 10.5 mg/kg, and 14.0 mg/kg of DA while Groups G-J became the infected and treated rats with 0.01 ml/kg, 0.02 ml/kg, 0.03 ml/kg, and 0.04 ml/kg of AR. Groups K-N became infected and treated rats with DA and AR combinations at similar doses.

Results: Parasitemia suppression occurred in Groups G-J only but became cleared in Groups C-F and K-N. Survival time varied significantly (p<0.05) between Group B and the other infected groups. We recorded anemia in all the infected rats while significant (p<0.05) splenomegaly and hepatomegaly occurred in Groups G-J only compared to the other groups.

Conclusion: AR did not inhibit or potentiate the anti-trypanosomal efficacy of DA, and therefore, it is comparatively less effective in combating T. brucei infection at the present doses and treatment regimen.

Keywords: albino rats, arteether, clinicopathology, diminazene aceturate, Trypanosoma brucei brucei.